Jonathan Taylor Notched Big Career-High Against Falcons

The Indianapolis Colts survived a couple of miscues to return to the United States with a big win. It was tougher than they thought, but they escaped Berlin with a 31-25 win over the Atlanta Falcons.

Unsurprisingly, Jonathan Taylor had plenty to do with that. The superstar running back had one of the best games of his career, which is obviously a lot to say. And, as shown by Cody Manning on X, he also had the longest touchdown of his career (83 yards).

Jonathan Taylor with the longest touchdown run of his career (83 yards).pic.twitter.com/YDC8B2k7RS

— Cody Manning (@CodyTalksNFL) November 9, 2025

Taylor broke loose for an 83-yard score that gave his team a 22-17 lead. The Falcons stormed right back with a Tyler Allgeier touchdown and a successful two-point conversion to get a three-point lead. Then, with the clock running out, the Colts tied the game with a field goal.

The Colts’ star running back was far from done. The Colts gave him the ball in overtime, and he capped off the game with an eight-yard score to cap off the win.

All in all, Taylor toted the ball 32 times for a whopping 244 yards and three touchdowns. He averaged a whopping 7.6 yards per carry, adding three receptions for 42 yards.

Taylor is now up to 17 total touchdowns this season, and he still has seven more games to play. He’s scoring at a wild pace, and there’s no reason to argue with his MVP case.

He’s already eclipsed 1,000 yards from scrimmage as well. The Colts’ explosive offense depends on his legs to get going, and with them sitting on a league-best 8-2 record, it’s about time he gets the recognition he so clearly deserves.

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Former NFL Commissioner Has Passed Away

The National Football League lost one of its best characters. Notably, it had to happen on Sunday.

As reported by Ari Meirov of “The 33rd Team,” former NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue has passed away. He was 84 and passed Sunday morning, per a family announcement.

Paul Tagliabue, who served as NFL Commissioner from 1989-2006, has passed away. He was 84 years old.

RIP. pic.twitter.com/x8L61MToPD

— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) November 9, 2025

Tagliabue was at the forefront of the league for 17 long years, and he was one of the main figures responsible for getting the NFL to where it is nowadays. He reportedly passed away due to heart failure complicated by Parkinson’s disease.

He took the reins from Pete Rozelle’s hands all the way back in 1989. He was later succeeded by the current commissioner, Roger Goodell, back in 2006.

He deserves a lot of credit for the current state of the game, especially in terms of finances. During his tenure, at least two-thirds of the league’s 32 teams had either built or were building new stadiums. He also spearheaded the most recent expansion, with the Carolina Panthers, Jacksonville Jaguars, present-day Cleveland Browns, and Houston Texans joining the league.

Tagliabue was also instrumental in getting the New Orleans Saints back to the Big Easy. The team had been displaced to San Antonio in 2005 in the wake of Hurricane Katrina.

He also worked closely with the players’ union to develop a strong rapport with the players. He helped end two labor strikes in 1982 and 1987, and the league ran smoothly with no labor stoppages during his tenure. If that wasn’t enough, he was also responsible for introducing free agency, the salary cap, and their record-breaking television contracts, setting the bar for other pro sports to follow along.

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Matthew Stafford Gets Honest About MVP Talk

The Los Angeles Rams have one of the most underrated quarterbacks of all time. Matthew Stafford has finally found success after years of struggles with the Detroit Lions – struggles that weren’t on him.

Now, 17 years into his professional career, he may finally get the recognition he deserves. He’s playing at a superlative level, up to the point where some think he should win MVP.

With that in mind, FOX reporter Erin Andrews asked her what it would mean for him to win this award at such an advanced age, sports-speaking. While he acknowledged that it would obviously mean a lot, he also said that it’s all about the love he feels for the game of football.

“It would mean a lot. I just have so much respect and reverance for this game. When you get an opportunity to play good football and be named with some of the greatest players, I pinch myself a lot of times thinking about that,” Stafford said.

Matthew Stafford tells @ErinAndrews what an MVP would mean to him in Year 17

Full feature airs today on FOX NFL Sunday pic.twitter.com/nfEBIC2AkW

— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) November 9, 2025

Stafford is the type of player who never hesitates to play through injury. That took a toll on his body, and he’s paid the price as he’s gotten older.

Still, he continues to be someone who will never hesitate to put his body on the line to make a play. He’s going to be out there with his teammates if they need him, and you just can tell that this is more than just his livelihood for him; he lives and breathes football.

The Rams made a big bet when they traded someone who was much younger than him and a bunch of draft picks to get Stafford. He led them to a Super Bowl in his very first season with the team.

And, just when it seemed that he was getting closer to the end of the line, he turned back the clock to look like a superstar again. He’s not going anywhere.

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Ryan Clark Reveals Sauce Gardner’s ‘Biggest Issue’

The Indianapolis Colts just got a glimpse of the full Sauce Gardner experience. Just three quarters into his debut, the Cincinnati product had an opportunity to make a game-changing play. Instead, he went home empty-handed.

Following a fumble recovery by the Atlanta Falcons, the former New York Jets star nearly gave his team the ball back with an interception. Instead, the ball bounced right off his fingers.

With that in mind, former NFL player Ryan Clark took to X to point out his biggest issue with Gardner. As good a player as he is as a stopper, he doesn’t have good ball skills:

“That’s Sauce’s biggest issue in my opinion. Great in coverage but doesn’t catch the ball. Difference in the very good & the Canton good,” Clark posted on X.

That’s Sauce’s biggest issue in my opinion. Great in coverage but doesn’t catch the ball. Difference in the very good & the Canton good!

— Ryan Clark (@Realrclark25) November 9, 2025

It’s been literally years since Gardner’s last interception. Even some Jets fans started talking about him being overrated, and they were impressed to watch how much the Colts were willing to give up to get him.

Of course, that’s not fair, either. There’s much more to being a good defensive back or a shutdown cornerback than just creating turnovers. Granted, that’s what separates the good from the greats, but it’s hard to argue that Gardner is one of the best players at the position right now.

He’s a disruptive player who can alter most throws. It would clearly be better if he could come down with the ball more often, especially when he has a big chance to make a play, but still.

The Colts are for real, and they believe they can compete for years to come. That’s the type of move you make when you feel like you’re inching closer to the ultimate goal.

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Dan Orlovsky Reveals Honest Thoughts About 2026 QB Class

The 2026 NFL Draft class was supposed to be a special one. For years, scouts and analysts raved about the potential in this class.

In fact, some teams even seemed to be okay with not taking a quarterback in the first round of the underwhelming 2025 NFL Draft class, knowing that things could be better next year. Now, that may not be the case.

At least, that’s how Dan Orlovsky feels. Following yet another week of unimpressive football, the former NFL quarterback had a big admission to make:

“Been very underwhelming,” Orlovsky posted on X.

Expectations were really high for this class in spring

Been very underwhelming https://t.co/XgQobzzohk

— Dan Orlovsky (@danorlovsky7) November 9, 2025

‘Underwhelming’ doesn’t even tell half of the story. Some called Arch Manning a ‘generational player,’ yet he’s looked at least one year away from being ready for the league. The same goes for Drew Allar, who was projected to be the best quarterback in his class but has struggled with injuries.

According to most scouts, Fernando Mendoza and Dante Moore are the closest things to potential franchise quarterbacks in this class, while LaNorris Sellers might benefit from another year in college or a year on the sidelines. Still, given all that had been said of this class, this is fairly disappointing.

Once again, multiple struggling NFL teams will be in the hunt for a franchise quarterback in the offseason. But after watching these young men play this season, some of them might be better off either trying to pursue a veteran or just piling up more assets to try their luck again in the 2027 NFL Draft.

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Stefon Diggs Sends 5-Word Message After Notching Major Career Feat

The New England Patriots entered the offseason with a massive need for help in the wide receiver corps. They didn’t have a single proven or reliable alternative for Drake Maye, and they needed to give him someone who could make his life easier in his first full season as a starter.

Stefon Diggs wasn’t their first choice for obvious reasons. But once the market dried out, they had no choice but to roll the dice on the trouble-making veteran, who was coming off a major, season-ending injury.

Fast forward to today, and that bet has paid off. The former Minnesota Vikings standout has turned back the clock to prove that he’s still one of the best pass catchers in the game. More importantly, he’s been a good teammate instead of a distraction, contrary to how his career has gone.

With that in mind, it was nice to hear that he’s still keeping the main thing the main thing. When asked his thoughts about joining a very exclusive list of players with 900 career receptions, the former Buffalo Bills star had one blunt answer:

“Everyone knows what I’m chasing,” Diggs said after becoming the 29th NFL player to reach 900 career receptions.

Diggs has said all the right things this season. He’s been all about the team instead of his accolades or stats.

One can say a lot of things about the way he’s carried himself, but Diggs has always been about winning. He’s a fierce competitor who’s never going to be okay with anything but that.

He’s been a bright spot for an offense that desperately needed one. And despite all the red flags, he’s been just the type of veteran this team has needed this season, at least during the first half of the campaign.

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2 Patriots Rookies Poised For Bigger Roles Against Buccaneers

The New England Patriots will hit the road to try to keep their winning streak going on Sunday. They will face an undermanned Tampa Bay Buccaneers team that’s still missing some key players on offense.

Unfortunately for them, Mike Vrabel’s team will also have some absences of its own. With that in mind, team insider Tracy Wolfson believes two rookies will be in for an expanded role:

“With Rhamondre Stevenson and Kayshon Boutte out for today’s game expect to see rookies TreVeyon Henderson and Kyle Williams more involved,” Wolfson posted on X.

With Rhamondre Stevenson and Kayshon Boutte out for today’s game expect to see rookies TreVeyon Henderson and Kyle Williams more involved #Patriots

— Tracy Wolfson (@tracywolfson) November 9, 2025

Williams entered the league as an intriguing pickup with some promising potential. Some argued that he would be in for a big role right out of the gate, which clearly hasn’t been the case. Now, he will have a prime opportunity to show Josh McDaniels and Drake Maye that they can count on him.

As for Henderson, he’s been one of the most disappointing rookies in the league by a significant margin this season. He hasn’t been a factor at all, even in the few instances when he’s been actually given an opportunity.

The second-round pick looked like a superstar in the making at Ohio State. Some scouts even argued that he was a better and more polished and NFL-ready prospect than fellow Buckeye Quinshon Judkins, who’s been an absolute stud for the Cleveland Browns this season.

Then again, it’s never wise or accurate to give up on a player after nine games. He just needs to get his legs back under him, and facing the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with a bigger role might be just what he needs to finally get going.

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Garrett Wilson Raves About New Jets WRs

The New York Jets made some moves, but not the ones that usually win games. They parted ways with two Pro Bowl-caliber players like Sauce Gardner and Quinnen Williams.

At least they got some playmakers for the passing game in return. They landed John Metchie III and Adonai Mitchell for their wide receivers corps, and Garrett Wilson sounds quite happy about that. When asked about his new teammate, the former Ohio State star had nothing but positive things to say about them:

“They both are just great, great receivers. The type of guys that when you draw it up and make a player on NCAA, you’re going to create one of them two, depending on what you want,” Wilson said.

"They both are just great, great receivers. The type of guys that when you draw it up and make a player on NCAA, you're going to create one of them two, depending on what you want."

Garrett Wilson talks about the Jets' new wide receivers, AD Mitchell and John Metchie, with… pic.twitter.com/EWzKMiog3G

— Jets Videos (@snyjets) November 9, 2025

Of course, it’s not like he was going to say anything different. More than that, this team still doesn’t have any sort of solution at the quarterback position, so whoever is out there to catch passes might not necessarily be in the best position to make a play.

The Jets decided to hit the reboot button again this season. They have a plethora of draft picks, which they haven’t usually done a good job with, but they seem to have finally realized they’re simply not going to be able to compete at the highest level until they get their hands on a franchise quarterback.

Players like Wilson seem to be wasting their primes in New York. And after signing a massive contract extension with them this offseason, chances are that he’s not going anywhere.

Then again, that also seemed to be the case with Sauce Gardner. So, if someone makes the right offer, perhaps Wilson might finally play for a winning team next season.

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Lamar Jackson Could Be Poised For Big Game Against Vikings’ Defense

The Minnesota Vikings have an elite defense. Brian Flores’s blitz packages always keep opposing quarterbacks on their toes, and they’re just great at putting up pressure at the line of scrimmage.

That being said, they also have some vulnerabilities. It’s almost impossible to shut down both the run and the pass, and Lamar Jackson is usually great at picking opposing defenses apart.

That’s why former NFL QB Dan Orlovsky believes they could be in for some trouble against Lamar Jackson. They have allowed dual-threat quarterbacks to pick up yards with their legs, and there’s no better dual-threat signal-caller than the Baltimore Ravens‘:

“Lamar’s legs today vs Minnesotas MFO pressures. Against Flores defense this year, Justin Herbert scrambled 7 times for 62 yards and 4 first downs. Caleb Williams scrambled 6 times for 58 yards and 4 first downs,” Orlovsky posted on X.

Lamar’s legs today vs Minnesotas MFO pressures

Against Flores defense this year…
 
Justin Herbert scrambled 7 times for 62 yards and 4 first downs
 
Caleb Williams scrambled 6 times for 58 yards and 4 first downs
 @PaulHembo

— Dan Orlovsky (@danorlovsky7) November 9, 2025

Lamar Jackson is the greatest scrambling quarterback of all time. He’s never going to hesitate to take off and pick up yards with his legs whenever he sees an inch of space in front of him.

The Ravens desperately need to win as many games as possible for the remainder of the season after getting off to a terrible start to the year. As such, they should be extremely aggressive trying to make a statement against a playoff-caliber defense like the Vikings’.

Of course, this team has also left plenty to be desired in big moments, and that has usually been the main knock on Jackson and John Harbaugh. But if their usually aggressive blitzing defense allows Jackson to roll out of the pocket and get into a rhythm with his legs, this could get ugly pretty quickly for Kevin O’Connell’s team.

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Commanders Get Encouraging Injury Update On Jayden Daniels

To say that this has been a disappointing season for the Washington Commanders wouldn’t tell half of the story. Dan Quinn’s team went from going to the NFC Championship Game last season to struggling on both sides of the field this year, and they may not even make the playoffs.

Notably, a lot of that has had to do with Jayden Daniels‘ injury woes. The second-year quarterback has already missed time this season, and it sounded like he was going to be done for the year.

However, that may not be the case. According to a report by NFL insider Tom Pelissero, there’s still a chance that Daniels will go back this season. Apparently, his shoulder injury wasn’t as serious as they initially thought:

“Let’s talk about Commanders QB, Jayden Daniels, who does have a chance to return this season after there was positive news from medical opinions and an MRI this week. His dislocated left elbow is not as serious as initially feared, and he does not need surgery. Commanders did not immediately put Jayden Daniels on the injury reserve, which makes him eligible to return within the next four games, but it’s no guarantee, at this point, that Jayden Daniels returns at all,” Pelissero said.

The Insiders on @NFLGameDay Kickoff with @TomPelissero and @MikeGarafolo: The #Commanders could get QB Jayden Daniels back this season; The #AZCardinals have a big QB decision to make this offseason with Kyler Murray; Brock Purdy is getting better and should be back soon. pic.twitter.com/e3fhvLZvyp

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) November 9, 2025

Daniels has struggled to live up to the hype this season. With his injuries, Terry McLaurin is also missing time, and the offensive line is not looking as sharp as expected. Things just haven’t gone that well for them.

The talent is most definitely there, and he should continue to be one of the most promising players in the game. However, with all the injury concerns, the fans might not feel as confident about him as they did before the start of the season.

The Commanders may not want to risk further injury with him this season. If they continue to drop games while he’s out and they’re on the outside looking in of the playoff picture, they might be better off shutting him down for the year.

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